The Maid of Orleans (play)

SCENE VI.

JOHANNA, SOLDIERS.

JOHANNA (to the soldiers).

Ye English, suffer not that I escape

Alive out of your hands! Revenge yourselves!

Unsheath your weapons, plunge them in my heart,

And drag me lifeless to your general's feet!

Remember it was I who slew your heroes,

Who never showed compassion, who poured forth

Torrents of English blood, who from your sons

Snatched the sweet pleasure of returning home!

Take now a bloody vengeance! Murder me!

I now am in your power; I may perchance

Not always be so weak.

CONDUCTOR OF THE SOLDIERS.

Obey the queen!

JOHANNA.

Must I be yet more wretched than I was!

Unpitying Virgin! Heavy is thy hand

Hast thou completely thrust me from thy favor?

No God appears, no angel shows himself;

Closed are heaven's portals, miracles have ceased.

[She follows the SOLDIERS.